Southampton
Low Carbon City 2011 - 2020
Part 1: The Story
Part 1 – The Story
This sets out the story so far and a summary of the key priorities listed in the strategy.
Part 2 – The Strategy
The Low Carbon City Strategy sets out our ambition for Southampton to be a world-leading
low carbon city. We’ve identified eight key priorities to deliver this ambition.
Part 3 – The Delivery Plan
This document lists the specific actions that we are going to undertake to deliver the vision set
out in the strategy. It will be updated every 3 years to the end of the Low Carbon City Strategy
period (2020). We will report on our progress annually.
Part 4 – The Facts
This gives a snapshot of what were doing and gives an idea of the progress we’re making.
You can get involved by contacting us at: [email protected]
To get hold of all the documents and to find out more go to our web pages at
www.southampton.gov.uk/sustainability
The Story
Southampton has ambitions to become the country’s leading low carbon city. To achieve this,
the council has produced its Low Carbon City Strategy (LCCS). The vision is that
Southampton will thrive in a new low carbon economy. By galvanising local action we will be
competitive, prosperous and future-proofed; a focal point for green business as we move
swiftly to low carbon energy, low carbon transport and a low carbon built environment. A city
adapted to a changed future which is greener, healthier and safer.
Working with partners, the aim is to be an epicentre of green business; a location of choice for
environmental technology and service firms and new and cleaner investment, a magnet for
innovation and talent, a frontrunner in the emerging low carbon economy using the city’s
knowledge base, existing assets and low carbon infrastructure as a catalyst for development,
inward investment, business growth, energy security and new jobs. It’s about creating the
best environment for business success in the city and creating business success that is best
for the environment.
Backed by the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and world-class research and development
institutions in the form of the city’s two universities, and led by a council that strives to be a
national leader in the field, Southampton’s vision is moving forward. Southampton and the
surrounding sub-region has the UK’s largest concentration of environmental technology
companies outside of London and the largest number of sustainability researchers – many of
whom specialise in marine and maritime energy. There are 600 environmental technology
and service firms, with around 11,000 employees and annual sales turnover of £1.4billion and
the University of Southampton’s world-leading Sustainable Energy Research Group has
significantly more researchers (266) and PhD students (188) working in sustainability than
any other UK university.
The first seeds for the vision were sewn nearly 25 years ago, when Southampton City Council
embarked on a major project to supply heat, chilled water and electricity to the city, powered
by deep aquifers under the city. Fast forward to 2011 and, the scheme is hailed as the
blueprint for success by other authorities and now supplies power to thousands of homes and
more than 45 major businesses. The city’s green energy network will expand further still, with
plans to install solar panels throughout the city and build a sustainable biomass power station,
which will generate enough power to supply energy to the entire city.
The Council knows it is not alone in this vision. Across the country there is a growing drive to
change the way we generate energy, the way we heat our homes and workplaces and the
way we travel in response to the Governments carbon budgets. But we are already on the
way. Take a walk around Southampton and you will see a low carbon city emerging before
your eyes: as part of a huge street light replacement project, Southampton will soon be the
first European city to have all its lights fitted with low carbon technology. Every house in the
city is being fitted with a water meter to save water, 55% of schools are registered ecoschools, the city academies will soon be carbon neutral, the airport has solar powered airfield
lighting, new walkways have been constructed, there’s a 5 acre community farm in the heart
of the city, the city’s traffic lights are now LED – saving 400 tonnes of carbon a year - code
level 6 homes are already being built, over 10% of the city centre is designated for
biodiversity, and the list goes on.
We’ve teamed up with the University of Southampton to create the most detailed carbon map
of the city in the country. This will give us a plan of the challenges that face us and help us cut
our emissions by a further 40 per cent in less than ten years. We’re committed to managing
our shoreline and looking at ways to manage risks such as flooding, erosion and sea level
rise. Our raft of forward-looking planning documents will be as advanced as anywhere in the
country and will set the foundation to make the city resilient.
But our forward thinking approach doesn’t stop there. Our ecological standards will be more
clearly defined than anywhere else nationally. We’re developing an ‘a la carte’ menu of
natural features including foliage on walls, green roofs, bodies of water, large trees and
bushes, and smaller items such as plant beds that developers can use to meet our ‘green
space factor’ and help the city adapt to climate change.
With its already successful energy schemes, future energy, flood and green infrastructure
plans and expertise to move forward, which are brought together in the LCCS, Southampton
is primed to fulfil its potential and realise the benefits that a low carbon future brings.
1. We will invest in, strengthen and grow the city’s low carbon economy
Southampton will be a magnet for innovation and talent as a centre for high value green jobs
and low carbon business opportunities. The city will be a leading location and growth hub for
green business, capitalising on the sectoral strengths of the area.
2. We will generate and use energy in a sustainable way
Southampton will be a city where carbon-intensive living will be ‘powered down’ by reducing
energy demand and diverse low-carbon energy supply will be ‘powered up’ by new
technologies through efficient design and a diverse low-carbon energy supply mix.
3. We will reduce the carbon footprint of the city
Southampton will be a city with a low carbon culture - low carbon intensity and high standards
of living. We will continue to reduce the carbon output of our local economy.
4. We will minimise the impact from flooding for the city
Southampton will be a city that is resilient to all but the most extreme floods and has robust
emergency plans to respond to, and recover from, flooding.
5. We will incorporate sustainability into all of our buying decisions
We will measure the value of a product or service by more than just the price on the label.
We will buy goods and services that have social, economic and environmental benefits.
6. We will strengthen biodiversity in the city
We will improve the way we link together the rich patchwork of diverse, living green spaces
and tree-lined streets in the city.
7. We will increase low carbon travel and transport
Southampton will be an accessible city with a reduced reliance on oil and less dependent on
the car.
8. We will use less, waste less and recycle more
Southampton will reduce unnecessary consumption and production. Resource efficiency will
be a hallmark of the city.